Hyderabad rings in Christmas with traditional prayers

HYDERABAD: Christmas Eve in the city was a sight to behold, with decked-up churches holding masses for the faithful and the weekend hustle and bustle hitting a high note, as shoppers scrambled for last-minute buys and bakeries making crisp cake sales.

The Baptist Church in Narayanguda held a pre-Christmas service from 7 pm, after sunset, as is the tradition followed here. Rev. David Gollapalli delivered the Christmas message.

Cardinal Anthony Poola led the midnight mass at St Mary’s Basilica in Secunderabad from 11.30 pm. A huge crowd visited the two-centuries-old basilica and the area echoed with hymns.

St Joseph’s Cathedral in Gunfoundry started the Christmas celebrations with carols at 10.30 pm and the main mass at 11.45 pm. The unique feature of the cathedral is the set of five massive bells that adorn the top portion of the structure, all of which were brought from Milan in Italy. Vicar General Msgr Yeruva Balashowry Reddy served the mass.

Another history-filled church, the Holy Trinity Church, witnessed a heavy footfall, with resident pastor Rev M. Prashant Babu preaching the Christmas message. Established in 1847, the church is a Gothic construction, strongly resembling churches that adorn the countryside in England. It was built primarily for the British Army offices by Queen Victoria on land donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad. On September 13, 1983, Queen Elizabeth II prayed at the church on her wedding anniversary.

The St George’s Anglican Church in Abids also catered various services to the faithful, according to Rev. P. Solomon Raj. The church was built in 1844.